Zoe Doyle

Self Compassion, Success and Shattering Stereotypes

“If I was talking to my daughter, what would I say to them? We talk ourselves in a way we’d never talk to others.”

We speak to Zoe Doyle, Masters athlete and middle-distance running sensation. Zoe discusses her late start in the world of professional running and her awe-inspiring achievements since then, including double masters world titles in the 1500m and 3k in 2019. Since we spoke to her she's also gone on to win double gold medals at the European Masters in the 800 and 1500.  

But Zoe's story isn't just about medals and glory as she shares about overcoming health issues, self-limiting beliefs, and cultivating self-compassion to reshape her mindset. She takes us through the highs and lows of her athletic career, where she grappled with the realisation that she could have been world-class if she'd started earlier, as well as balancing family responsibilities as a mum-of-three with her athletic pursuits. She emphasises the significance of self-awareness and self-love in personal growth, and developing a parenting style which has evolved into a powerful lesson in self-worth and happiness for her children, teaching them that giving their best effort is always enough, no matter the outcome. You won't want to miss a moment of this candid and inspiring conversation.

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Go Do:

Be Kind to Yourself:
Ask yourself the simple question this week: In what ways, this week, can I be kinder to myself?

We'd love to hear what emerges for you as you work through these questions. Follow us and tag us on twitter, instagram, linkedin, tiktok or send us an email: hello@runalive.co.uk

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This season of the podcast is sponsored by Run Unbound Endurance Coaching.

Whether running your first half, discovering trail running, tackling an ultramarathon or attempting one of the UK big 3 rounds, Run Unbound can help you to achieve your goals in a fun and inspiring way.

We are so grateful for Run Unbound's support Find out more about them here.

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Show Notes:

The RunAlive Podcast x Zoe Doyle

Podcast Title: Self Compassion, Success and Shattering Stereotypes
Hosts: Ed Perry and Gary Armstrong

Introduction

• Ed and Gary introduce the episode and guest, Zoe Doyle, a competitive middle-distance athlete, coach, and NLP practitioner.

• Zoe shares her background in athletics and her recent achievements, including becoming a double world champion in 2019.

• The hosts discuss the challenges of balancing family, work, and personal pursuits, as well as the impact of cultural expectations and gender roles on women's lives.

The Power of Self-Compassion

• Zoe reflects on her journey of self-discovery and personal growth. She discusses the role of self-compassion in overcoming limiting beliefs and achieving balance in life.

• Zoe shares her experiences as a mother of three and how she has learned to prioritise self-care and set boundaries.

• The hosts explore the concept of listening to one's body and recognizing signs of overexertion or stress. Zoe emphasises the importance of values and self-reflection in making life choices.

Navigating Change and Performance

• The conversation delves into how Zoe's approach to training and racing has evolved. Zoe explains how she manages her performance while maintaining self-compassion and setting realistic goals.

• She shares the role of her coach in her journey and the impact of gradual, long-term training methods. Zoe discusses her strategies for assessing and maintaining balance in her life and training regimen.

Technology, Boundaries, and Coping Mechanisms

• Zoe reveals her practices for managing technology use and setting boundaries, such as turning off her phone in the evenings and not keeping it in the bedroom.

• The hosts discuss the importance of planning and visualising the week to allocate time for rest and self-care.

• Zoe mentions that it's essential to have time where she's not overbooked and has moments of relaxation.

Raising Children and Life choices

• Zoe shares her insights into being a role model for her children and setting an example of pursuing one's passions while maintaining family commitments.

• Zoe shares her approach to raising her children differently from how she was raised. She prioritises making her kids feel deeply loved, seen, heard, and understood.

• She believes that success should not be measured solely by achievement but by happiness and fulfilment.

• Zoe encourages her kids to feel enough for who they are and not to base their self-worth on external accomplishments.

• She promotes the idea that it's okay to feel a wide range of emotions, breaking stereotypes and allowing her kids to express themselves authentically.

• She advises people, including her children, to trust themselves and their instincts, living by their values for fulfilment and happiness.

• Zoe reflects on the suggestion she received from coaches that she could have been a world-class athlete if discovered at a younger age.

• She addresses the potential regret of not pursuing running earlier in life and how she handles it by focusing on the present and the choices she made, like prioritising family.

Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Plans

• The hosts praise Zoe for her approach and how she manages her family and running career.